Most Helpful Customer Reviews

This is the original Woodstock [triple LP] album, released back in 1970. It is a classic which - in comparison to the 4 CD box set of 1994 - comes across better. There is material here not on the box set. CSN&Y's "Wooden Ships" and Sly & the Family Stone's "Higher." However, where this set beats the box is in the audio mix. This 1970 mix is far superior to that of 1994. It is clearer and more defined. Be warned, however, some tracks are edited [for reasons of vinyl space] these include cuts by both Santana and Ten Years After. But if you want a classic record of the festival this is a minor fault. [If you are a Woodhead you will already have both this and the box and other releases like WOODSTOCK DIARY, RAVI SHANKAR AT THE WOODSTOCK FESTIVAL, JANIS JOPLIN: LIVE AT WOODSTOCK & JIMI HENDRIX: LIVE AT WOODSTOCK.]

Back in 1970, there was no anticipated album release like the first Woodstock 3-LP set released on the Cotillion Records label. Everybody who was there (or wished they were there) finally got a chance to relive the experience in their homes with the release of the soundtrack album. At least they thought they were reliving the experience. As we all remember, the package came in an elaborate three-panel gatefold sleeve with that RED distorted photograph of the stage and the vast crowd. Those huge towers sure made it look like a city. Unfortunately, the rest of the liner photos were blurry, and the package was quite lame. As far as the music was concerned, the producers gave us quite a generous helping.... three records worth!! Things begin with John B. Sebastian doing "I Had a Dream" and Canned Heat doing "Going Up The Country." I always enjoyed listening to the stage announcements, and each side had a few, which gave the album a true-to-life documentary approach. Unfortunately, not everything on the album was exactly like that. Other tracks on the album are poorly edited (The Who's See Me Feel Me, and Jimi's SSB/Instrumental solo) Others suffer from layers of overdubs (Ten Years After-I'm Going Home; Arlo Guthrie-Coming Into L.A.) Producer Eric Blackstead was right when he wrote that the technical flaws are like scars in fine leather. This is still an amazing album. Sly Stone's I Want To take you Higher medley is Woodstock at its height of its legendary glory. Country Joe's FISH cheer is a hilarious protest bit. Santana put on an amazing performance with Soul Sacrafice. Jimi proved his guitar was the the best of them all. Despite the flaws, this is still the ultimate (and first) Woodstock audio collection.

I have to agree with the earlier reveiwer in that this set is the "real" Woodstock recording. While it's nice to have the extra cuts on the box set, the superior sound quality and all of the stage announcements make this the ultimate experience. It wasn't just about the music, man.

First of all I must admit that I love the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, commonly known as The Woodstock Festival and I have traced its history since a long time

The former vinyl release of this double CD was my first approach to the famous event and since then, that it has become a real obsession to get everything about it (full performances, different releases and memorabilia)

I actually love this set, BUT it just give you a very small part of the 210 plus songs performed at Woodstock. Also it's presented in the wrong order, it's uncomplete and edited. Nevertheless I still recommended it as an starting point.

1. John Sebastián - I Had a DreamThird artist to appear or at least forced to. He was just hanging around. His full set is on "Faithful Virtue" CD on Rhino Recs. (long deleted). This track is actually live.

2. Canned Heat - Going Up the CountryThey performed on Saturday. Their full performance of 5 songs is not available (just parts on video).Read more ›

I was in the seventh grade when my brother brought this album home from college. I listened to it until the grooves ran out, and some thirty odd years later I still listen to it...in awe.Without question the best:1. Santana2. Joe Cocker3. Sly and Family Stone4. Richie Havens5. Jimi Hendrix6. Ten Years After7. Balance of the setI'm not sure if it was the event, the mass of people or realizing in the seventh grade that something like this could happen that hit me like a ton of bricks. Frankly, this is some of the finest live music that has been recorded at one of the greatest gatherings to ever take place.